Pretoria, 30 September 2020 – The South African Revenue Service (SARS) today releases trade statistics for August 2020 recording a trade surplus of R38.87 billion. These statistics include trade data with Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho and Namibia (BELN). The year-to-date (01 January to 31 August 2020) trade surplus of R134.05 billion is an improvement from the R4.14 billion deficit for the comparable period in 2019. Exports increased by 8.8% year-on-year whilst imports declined by 20.7% over the same period.

The R38.87 billion trade surplus for August 2020 is attributable to exports of R130.22 billion and imports of R91.35 billion.

To read the full statement, click here.

To visit the Trade Statistics webpage, click here.